(2)
2. The total import trade of the port for 1909 amounted to 23,205 vessels of 8,626,614 tons carrying 6,342,138 tons of cargo, of which 4,198,389 tons were discharged at Hongkong. This does not include the local Junk Trade. The nett increase in imports thus amounted to 422,717 tons.
3. In exports there was a decrease of 70,666 tons.
4. The chief articles of import are coal, rice, sugar and flour. Tea, kerosine oil, rice and paddy, and general cargo are the principal exports.
5. There has been a great increase in the amount of sugar imported, amounting to no less than 76.6%. Similarly the import of timber, flour, coal and hemp shows increases of 66.1%, 65.7% and 60.7%, respectively. The trade in bulk oil is almost at a standstill as compared with last year; but case oil shows a decrease of 10,609 tons. The rice trade, which reached its culminating point last year, has diminished by 98,801 tons and may now be said to be at its normal condition.
(6.) Mines, Manufactures and Fisheries.-6. There are no mines in the Colony; but there are granite quarries situated at Shaukiwán and Kowloon, the output of which during the year under review was valued at $45,000 and $80,000 respectively.
7. The industries of the Colony include Dock work, launch building, boat building, cement manufacture, paper making, sugar refining, brick and tile making, rope making, iron foundries, boiler making, glass manufacture, vermillion manufacture opium boiling. One hundred steam launches and other vessels with a total burden of 3,755 tons were built in the Colony during the year. The Dock accommodation is to be largely increased in the near future.
8. The number of ships and boats employed in fishery during the year may be roughly estimated at 7,000; but it is impossible to ascertain the description and the quantity of fish caught, or the actual value of the fishing trade.
9. Two thousand nine hundred and three (2,903) rowing boats, 2,030 cargo boats and lighters, and 92 steam launches were licensed to ply for hire within the waters of the Colony during the year.
(c) Agricultural Industries and Botanical Stations.-10. It is estimated that in 1900 the acreage of cultivated land in the island of Hongkong was 406 acres; in Kowloon 404 acres; and in the New Territory including the Islands about 90,000 acres. Beyond the cultivation of rice and sugar and of vegetable gardens, there is practically no agricultural industry in the old Colony or in the New Territory. It is proposed to try an experimental stock farm in the New Territory, where, if the grass be found good, it ought to be possible to rear cattle required for consumption in Hongkong. The industry of cattle raising in the New Territory seems never to have been attempted beyond the number required for field work.
11. The revenue from plant sales was $761.80, an increase of $135.20 over that for 1899, revenue from loan of plants was $55.39 less than in the previous year. The Government does not make any profit over the sale or loan of plants, the public obtaining them at a price which only covers the actual cost of production.
12. The quantity of land under sugar cultivation in the New Territory is estimated at over 7,000 acres.
13. The advisability of establishing an Experimental Garden in the New Territory for the purpose of testing the suitability of economic plants to the soil and climate is under consideration.
14. Five thousand five hundred and eighty (5,580) trees were planted in Hongkong Island during the year and 1,154 in the New Territory.
15. The year has been fortunate as regards forest fires, only 25 having been reported with a destruction of 2,067 trees, as compared with 52 fires and 13,299 trees in the previous year.
(d.) Land Grants and General Value of Land.-16. I append a table giving particulars of land sales, extensions and grants on short leases made during the year under review. (Table H.)
17. The owners of 53 lots on the Praya Reclamation, amounting to 290,239 square feet, were permitted to enter into occupation. This Reclamation, authorised by Ordinance No. 16 of 1889, was commenced in 1890 and is now approaching completion. An area of 50 acres has been reclaimed, and the remaining area, amounting to about ten (10) acres, is more than half finished.
18. There were 2 free grants of land at Kowloon-one of 30,000 feet to the Church Missionary Society for the erection of a Home for Chinese girls at Kau Pui Shek; and the other of 15,000 square feet to the Hildesheim Mission for Blind Girls at To Kwa Wan.
19. The principal item under extensions during the year was Quarry Bay Marine Lot 2; the area so granted amounting to 323,800 square feet, Crown Rent $1,487, and premium $32,380. This extension has been purchased for the purpose of constructing a dock.
20. Seven lots in Hongkong were granted on short leases, while at Kowloon similar grants of 7 inland lots were made.
21. The demand for land, as evidenced by the larger sales effected, necessitated an unusual amount of work in the Survey branch. Special surveys were also made in connection with extension of water storage in Tytam Valley and the military reserve north of Austin Road, Kowloon. In all it is estimated that nearly 1,000 acres were surveyed.
(e.) Shipping 22. I append tables showing:-
(a) The comparative shipping return for the years 1899 and 1900. (Table 1)
(b) A comparative statement of the total shipping entered and cleared between the years 1896-1900 inclusive. (Table).
(c) An analysis of shipping (British and Foreign Steamers) entered and cleared in 1899 and 1900.
(d) An analysis of shipping (British and Foreign Sail) entered and cleared in 1899 and 1900. (Table 4)
(e) A return of the junk shipping in 1899 and 1900. (Table M.)
23. The tonnage of British ships entering the harbour of this Colony during 1900 was 4,588,610 tons and clearing 4,566,588 tons.
24. The German shipping showed next with 959,173 tons entering and 958,571 clearing.
25. Then follow in order the Japanese, French, Chinese, American, Norwegian and Austrian flags.
26. The tonnage of Chinese junks entering and clearing was 1,604,632 and 1,620,224 respectively: and of Chinese ships, other than junks, 136,765 and 138,507 respectively.
27. The total of foreign ocean-going tonnage which entered and cleared was 2,425,086 and 2,425,311 respectively.
28. The comparative shipping return for the years 1859 and 1900 shows in the case of vessels under the British flag an increase of 103 ships measuring 438,182 tons; but there was a decrease in the river trade under the British flag of 111 vessels of 58,817 tons. This may be ascribed to the fact that certain British steamers engaged in the West River trade were sold.
29. Many of the Chinese Merchant Steamers were transferred to the British flag. There was an increase in the percentage of "tramp" steamers, principally carrying coal. The size of many of the steamers of the regular lines on the home routes, especially of the German Steamers, has increased in a marked degree.
30. The Scottish Oriental Steamship Co. was transferred to the German flag, thus increasing German tonnage by 62,057 tons in arrivals, and 68,806 tons in departures.
31. As compared with 1899, the British tonnage increased by 4.93% and the Foreign tonnage by 3.20%.
M.—LEGISLATION,
1. There were in all 36 Ordinances passed during last year. Of these, 6 were Naturalization Ordinances, while 17 were concerned with the amendment of Ordinances already in force.
2. Three Ordinances were passed in connection with the New Territory, by far the widest in scope being Ordinance No. 30, under which the operation of such laws of this Colony as were not already in force in the New Territories was extended to a certain portion of those territories.
3. It was during last year that the Chief Justice, Sir JOHN CARRINGTON, made his generous offer to prepare a new edition of the Hongkong Ordinances, and accordingly at the close of the year a Bill was passed to make provision for the preparation and publication of a new and revised edition of the Statute Laws of the Colony. The first step was thus taken towards a much needed codification of the laws of Hongkong.
(2)
2. The total import trade of the port for 1909 amounted to 23,205 vessels of 8,626,614 tons carry- ing 6,342,138 tons of cargo, of which 4,198,389 tons were discharged at Hongkong. This does not include the local Junk Trade. The nett increase in imports thus amounted to 422,717 tons.
3. In exports there was a decrease of 70,666 tons.
4. The chief articles of import are coal, rice, sugar and flour. Tea, kerosine oil, rice and paddy, and general cargo are the principal exports.
5. There has been a great increase in the amount of sugar imported, amounting to no less than 76.6% Similarly the import of timber, flour, coal and hemp shows increases of 66.1%, 65.7% and 60,7%, respectively. The trade in bulk oil is almost at a standstill as compared with last year; but case oil shows a decrease of 10,609 tons. The rice trade, which reached its culminating point last year, has diminished by 98,801 tous and may now be said to be at its normal condition.
(6.) Mines, Manufactures and Fisheries.-6. There are no muines in the Colony; but there are granite quarries situated at Shaukiwán and Kowloon, the output
of which during the year under review was valued at $45,000 and $80,000 respectively.
7. The industries of the Colony include Dock work, launel building, boat building, cement manu. facture, paper making, sugar refining, brick and tile making, rope making, iron foundries, boiler making, glass manufacture, vermillion manufacture opium boiling. One hundred steam launches and other vessels with a total burden of 3,755 tons were built in the Colony during the year. The Dock accommodation is to be largely increased in the near future.
8. The number of ships and boats employed in fishery during the year may be roughly estimated at 7,000; but it is impossible to ascertain the description and the quantity of fish caught, or the actual value of the fishing trade.
9. Two thousand nine hundred and three (2,903) rowing boats, 2,030 cargo boats and lighters, and 92 steam launches were licensed to ply for hire within the waters of the Colony during the year. (c) Agricultural Industries and Botanical Stations.-10. It is estimated that in 1900 the acreage of cultivated land in the island of Hongkong was 406 acres; in Kowloon 404 acres; and in the New Territory including the Islands about 90,000 acres. Beyond the cultivation of rice and sugar and of vegetable gardens, there is practically no agricultural industry in the old Colony or in the New Territory. It is proposed to try an experimental stock farm in the New Territory, where, if the grass be found good, it ought to be possible to rear cattle required for consumption in Hongkong. The industry of cattle raising in the New Territory seems never to have been attempted beyond the number required for field work,
The
11. The revenue from plant sales was $761.80, an increase of $135.20 over that for 1899, revenue from loan of plants was $55.39 less than in the previous year. The Government does not make any profit over the sale or loan of plants, the public obtaining them at a price which only covers the actual cost of production.
acres.
12. The quantity of land under sugar cultivation in the New Territory is estimated at over 7,000
13. The advisability of establishing an Experimental Garden in the New Territory for the purpose of testing the suitability of economic plants to the soil and climate is under consideration.
14. Five thousand five hundred and eighty (5,580) trees were planted in Hongkong Island during the year and $1,154 in the New Territory.
15. The year has been fortunate as regards forest fires, only 25 baving been reported with a des- truction of 2.067 trees, as compared with 52 fires and 13,299 trees in the previous year. (d.) Land Grants and General Value of Land.-16. I append a table giving particulars of land sales, extensions and grants on short leases made during the year under review. (Table H.)
17. The owners of 53 lots on the Praya Reclamation, amounting to 290,239 square feet, were ermitted to enter into occupation. This Reclamation, authorised by Ordinance No. 16 of 1889, was commenced in 1890 and is now approaching completion. An area of 50 acres has been reclaimed, and the remaining area, amounting to about ren (10) acres, is more than half finished.
18. There were 2 free grants of land at Kowloon-one of 30,000 feet to the Church Missionary Society for the erection of a Home for Chinese girls at Kau Pui Shek; and the other of 15,000 square feet to the Hildesheim Mission for Blind Girls ut To Kwa Wan.
(3)
700
19. The principal item under extensions during the year was Quarry Bay Marine Lot 2; the area so granted amounting to 323,800 square feet, Crown Rent $1,487, and prémium $32,380. This extension has been purchased for the purpose of constructing a dock,
20. Seven lots in Hongkong were granted on short leases, while at Kowloon similar grants of 7 inland lots were made,
21. The demand for land, as evidenced by the larger sales effected, necessitated an unusual amount of work in the Survey branch. Special surveys were also made in connection with extension of water storage in Tytam Valley and the inilitary reserve north of Austin Road, Kowloon. In all it is estimated that nearly 1,000 acres were surveyed.
(e.) Shipping 22. I append tables showing:-
(4.) The comparative shipping return for the years 1899 and 1900. (Table 1) (b.) A comparative statement of the total shipping entered und cleared between the
1896-1900 inclusive. (Table).
years
(c) An analysis of shipping (British and Foreign Steamers) entered and cleared in 1899
and 1900. Clublo-4-)-
(d) An analysis of shipping (British and Foreign Sail) entered and cleared in 1899
und 1900. (Table 4)
(c.) A return of the junk shipping in 1899 and 1900. (Table M.)
23. The tonnage of British ships entering the harbour of this Colony during 1900 was 4,588,610 tous and clearing 4,566,588 tons.
24. The German shipping showed next with 959,173 tons entering and 958,571 clearing.
25. Then follow in order the Japanese, French, Chinese, American, Norwegian and Austrian flags.
26. The tonnage of Chinese junks entering and clearing was 1,604,632 and 1,620,224 respectively: and of Chinese ships, other than junks, 136,765 and 138,507 respectively.
27. The total of foreign ocean-going tonnage which entered and cleared was 2,425,086 and 2,425,311 respectively.
28. The comparative shipping return for the years 1859 and 1900 shows in the case of vessels under the British flag un increase of 103 ships measuring 438,182 tons; but there was a decrease in the river trade under the British flag of 111 vessels of 58,817 tons. This inay be ascribed to the fact that certain British steamers engaged in the West River trade were sold.
29. Many of the Chinese Merchant Steamers were transferred to the British fing. There was an increase in the percentage of "tramp" steamers, principally carrying coal. The size of many of the steamers of the regular lines on the home routes, especially of the German Steamers, hus increased in a marked degree.
30. The Scottish Oriental Steamship Co. was transferred to the German flag, thus increasing German tonnage by 62,057 tons in arrivals, and 68,806 tons in departures.
31. As compared with 1899, the British tonnage increased by 4.93 % and the Foreign tonnage by 3.20%.
M.—LEGISLATION,
1. There were in all 36 Ordinances passed during last year. Of these, G were Naturalization Ordinances, while 17 were concerned with the amendment of Ordinances already in force.
2. Three Ordinances were passed in connection with the New Territory, by far the widest in scope being Ordinance No. 30, under which the operation of such laws of this Colony as were not already in force in the New Territories was extended to a certain portion of those territories,
3. It was during last year that the Chief Justice, Sir JoUN CARRINGTON, made his generous offer to prepare a new edition of the Hongkong Ordinances, and accordingly at the close of the year a Bill was passed to make provision for the preparation and publication of a new and revised edition of the Statute Laws of the Colony. The first step was thus taken towards a much neeled codification of the laws of Hongkong,
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